Friday, March 3, 2017

News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel

Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a leading Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced the introduction today of his Interagency Cybersecurity Cooperation Act. The bill requires the FCC to create an interagency committee to review cybersecurity incidents, recommend investigations, and issue regular reports on the results of these investigations including relevant findings and policy recommendations.

“Following Russian tampering in last November’s election it is imperative that we redouble our efforts when it comes to cybersecurity,” said Congressman Engel. “The bill I have authored, the Interagency Cybersecurity Cooperation Act, will require all agencies in the federal government to report cybersecurity incidents to the FCC, which will then recommend investigations and offer periodic reports on their findings to Congress. This bill is critical to both national security and the preservation of our personal information. Cybersecurity reforms like these must be a priority in this Congress.”

The Interagency Cybersecurity Cooperation Act is part of a slate of cybersecurity reforms introduced today by Democrats on the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, including the Cybersecurity Responsibility Act offered by Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, and the Securing IoT Act, offered by Rep. Jerry McNerney of California.

“House Democrats are offering concrete ideas to protect our networks and our private information from bad actors,” Engel said. “If Republicans are willing to set aside partisan politics and cooperate, we can make real progress on cybersecurity.”

Engel On House Republicans Not Publicly Releasing Their ACA Repeal Draft

Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement in response to reports that House Republicans will not publicly release their draft to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

“Earlier this week, we were told that the White House and Congressional Republicans would engage in an open process to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act with something, they promised, that would be much better.

“It turns out that their pie-in-the-sky promises aren’t limited just to policy, but to process as well. Rather than put their legislation through regular legislative procedures, Republicans have chosen to hide their draft in a basement, away from the eyes of their Democratic colleagues and – most importantly – their constituents.

“What’s more, they’re gearing up to advance the legislation next week. Not only have they denied Americans the chance to learn more about their plan through even a single substantive hearing – they are ramming it through before the Congressional Budget Office can assess its cost or even the number of Americans it would insure.

“House Democrats held 79 hearings and markups on the ACA, because Americans deserve better than a basement. I urge my Republican colleagues to come out of the shadows and take part in an open process – if not for the sake of transparency, then for the sake of our constituents.”